Binocular mount



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Sim faim/aso!! S. JOHANSON BINOCULAR MOUNT Filed Feb. 14, 1945 v. f. Q

ATTORNEY.

Feu 24, 1948. s, JOHANSON 36,5%

BINOCULAR MOUNT Filed Feb. 14, .1945 -2 sheets-sheet 2 u mf@ n R g5 n x. K

ff ya" IN VEN TOR. Sie 12 Jnmzso/i ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BINOCULAR MOUNT Sten Johanson, New York, N. Y., assgnor to Universal Camera Corporation, New York, N. Y., a.- corporation of New York p Application February 14, 1945, Serial No. 577,874

8 Claims. l

This invention generally relates to optical instruments and is more specically directed to a novel and improved construction of binoculars.

It is an object of the invention to provide housings ior the optical systems of the binocular which are so constructed as to be adapted for assembly with a rigid element of the instrument, and means operable to simultaneously displace the binocular housings away from or toward one another between two extreme positions thereof thereby to eiect the interocular adjustment of the instrument.

These and other related objects will become apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan View of a binocular according to the invention, partly in horizontal section on line I| of Fig. 2, illustrating the structure of the housings for the optical systems of the binocular and the elements of the instrument associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the binocular of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a plan View of the sections of the instrument housings which carry the objectives, shown isolated.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a plate associated with portions of the objective sections of the housings.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a rotatable disc for controlling the interocular adjustment of the instrument.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section through the disc of Fig. 5, on line --B of said figure.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section through the disc, on line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the binocularon line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, numerals Il) and ll generally indicate the right hand and left hand bodies or housings for the optical systems of the instrument, which consist of matable eye piece and objective sections I2, I3 and I4, l5, respectively. having one open end and preferably made of suitable light metal castings` As illustrated in Fig. l, the eye piece and the objective section of each housing are joined at their open ends in surface abutting engagement along-their respective iiat end faces l E and l1, by means of a plurality of screws i 8 (see Fig. 2), inwardly of the peripheral shoulder El! of the objective section which surroundingly engages the outer periphery of the end of the eye piece set?-A 2 tion. This latter ,comprises an integral .open- 'ended cylindrical element 22 wherein there is suitably mounted an eye piece 23, which is rotatably and axially displaceable relative to the element 22 for focusing adjustment. The eye piece incorporates suitable eye lenses 24, 25 and a field lens 26, mounted in a barrel member 21. Diopter graduations are applied to the outer sur face of the cylindrical element 22, as shown at 28, to permit control of the eye piece adjustment.

Each eye piece section also embodies an integral hollow portion 29 extending transversely thereof, which denes a cavity adapted to receive and seat a Porro prism 3| arranged with its hypotenuse face opposed to the adjacent objective section, suitable means being provided for holding the prism within the cavity in -adjusted position relative to the other elements of the optical system of which it forms part.

Each objective section likewise comprises a cylindrical open-ended element 32 mounting a barrel member 33 which incorporates objective lenses 34 and 35, a hollow portion 36 extends transversely of the objective section, at a right angle to the hollow portion 29 of the eye piece section, to dene a cavity conformed to accommodate a prism 38 with the hypotenuse face thereof opposed to that of the prism 3| As will be evident, the joined eye piece and objective sections iorm comparatively small, compact and readily assembled housings for the right and left hand optical systems of the binocular.

The remaining elements of the binocular structure adapted to be assembled with the housings il) and ll to form the complete instrument, will now bedescribed.

The structure comprises a rigid member or plate 4B having a reduced lower portion 4 I, which extends between the two housings in the assembled condition of the binocular, and an upper portion embodying oppositely extending arms 43, 44 (see Figs. 1 and 2) the ends whereof are `formed with integral projecting elements or supports 45, 46, a third similar support 41 being provided intermediate the supports45, 46. The supports have alined bores 48 adapted to receive a shaft 49 extending therethrough and fxedly secured therein as by means of set screws 50.

A stud 5| having its head 52 fastened to the rear face of the plate 40 as by means of rivets 53, projects through an opening provided in the center of the plate, underneath and in alinement with the support 41, the free end of the stud being threaded for the purpose that will become hereafter apparent.

The objective sections I3 and l5 of the housings I0, H have laterally projecting flat portions 55, 55, respectively, embodying extensions 51, 58 which carry at their free ends pins 6U, 6i. The objective sections are furthermore provided at their upper end with thickened integral portions or extensions 63, 64, respectively, which are lonygitudinally bored, as shown at' lBt; bushings 66 are mounted in the bores to provide an accuratesliding t for the shaft 49 (see particularly Figs. 2 and 3).

The housings are assembled with thezplate'dll by mounting the aforementioned extensions 63, 64 of the objective sections onthe shaft 49 with the rear face of the projecting hat 'portions-55,' 55 in juxtaposition to the plate 40. A plate 'l0 is mounted on the stud l, which ypasses through an opening 'H in the plate, and is juxtaposed to the aforesaid portions 55, 56, the plateA 'Hlbein'g also slotted as shown at 1.2, 'I3 to permit passage of 'the pins 60, B'I.

A disc 14, centrally.aperturedasshown at 15, is rotatably mounted on .the stud 5l in juxtaposed relation to the plate 110,; and fis"providedi.in its rear face withalined radially extend'ing'groovesl 'I6 adaptedl tosli'dingly'receive"` the `pins 6B, '6l projecting from thefplate TID through the slots A12, "I3 thereof. vRadial bores 'llextend .into the `disc at a `right angle toV tl'iergrooves"I6 to fric- `tionally receive and retainoneencl ofprojecting handles' 18 .provided :for rotating .the disc. T`This latter `also has" graduations readable' against an index mark 80 'von the'fcentral.*support-#4l vof the plate 4!! aforementioned..

4 will be apparent that by rotating the disc 14 in opposite directions to angularly displace the grooves 16, the pins 60, 6I slidingly received within the grooves will be simultaneously displaced therealong and away from or toward one another, thereby causing the housings to move between the extreme positions thereof aforementioned to .effect the desired interocular adjustment of the instrument.

It should be noted that the structure described, Awhile providing means for readily effecting and .controlling the interocular adjustment of the binocular, permits to eliminate entirely the use of hinge connections between the housings and all the shortcomings inherent in such devices. On the other hand, the required parallelism between -theoptical axes of the instrument is insured and constantly maintained in the operation of the 'Y instrument, since the housings are constrained to move in the same plane being supported and guidedV byY a singleV shaft" .-49` and'embodying fiat rigid portions -of comparatively nwide area confined between and guided by'zthe opposed' plane `Ar`surfaces of the .fixed rigid 'plates l10:and 1:0.

VIt is to be `understood that while I have `described the inventionl substantially with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof,v changes y and modifications may be :made in the structure 'Alocking knob`82 is mounted Von the threaded ...35

' forward end fof the 'stud 5 I 'in juxtaposition to the V'disc 74 to maintain the ,associated yelements iin assembled relation, 'and is longitudinally .adjusted on the stud to thepos'itionrequired for' permitting readyv rotation "of .the ldisci .relative 'to the plate `v'mand slidingmovement of the portions 55, "56 of the objectivel sections of thehousings-be- "tween the confining plates 40, and 'I0 without any .fobjectionable play. vOffcou-rse; the associated-.ele- -"ments 'of 'the structurewillnbelaccurately machined and finished `co-:provide V:smooth'contact surfaces and" .prevent fany -#objectionable *friction therebetween. The AknobtilZ` may Ibe :secured-in .its 'adjusted locking position by means of asset screw W84, as shown in Fign.

As clearly llustrated'fin fFigj2, Ythe length of the extensions 1433364 Vzof. they lobjective sections -slidably lmounted -on the shaft '49, visless vthan the lengthfof the portionsoftheshaft comprised between the shaft supports'fd-dl and @41,45 respectively. The housings I0 andi-l .are therefore movable away'from yand :toward yoneanother to ueffect' `iinterocularV adjustment of rthe .Jinstrmnent between extreme -outer and inner, positions vdefined Aby the abutting engagement -of the ends Yof Asaid extensionsfid of the'objective sections zwith the shaftfsupponts. -=Onthe otherhand, since the width'of the portions-55,55 of thefoby -jective sections Yis 'greater than fthe `total lateral `displacement thereofl allowed bythe shaft `sup- -Y ports, said portions will Y-alwaysfb'e contained be- `A`tweenthe platesand 'In whichwillfguide the portions `and therefore Vthe-housings .for k.move-- ment in a fixed plane.

The associated parts arefsodimensioned and* :arranged that, fin fthecentral-position of Athe ex- "tensions 53, -64 A-of vthe Vobjective sections, relaf-tiv'e-to the portions-of the shaft-dwwhereon'they :fare mounted, the ypins fll);` 6l and .theegro'oves 16 of the disc I4 will be in verticalzalinement. AIt

described and illustrated in the drawings without "departing from the spirit yof :theinvention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A binocular comprising-aplate, a. horizontal shaft carried by said plate, a 'pair of housings for the optical systems of .the instrument, each of said housings having an extension fslidably .mounted ori-said shaft Aand a'fiat :projecting por- .tion juxtaposed tosaid plate-and carryinga-pin, a second plate juxtaposed .tosa'id :projecting por `tions of the housings'havingslotsrfor the passage :of said pins, a stud carried bythe first-mentioned plate and extending outwardlyofrsaid second plate, means rotatably :mounted on said stud in juxtaposition to the second plate and engaging 'said pins for simultaneously displacing the pins and therefore the `hous'ingszaway -fromand toward one another, and means mounted :on said ..stud for maintaining 'the a'forementionedrotat- 'able means, the yplates and `thexprojectingpor tions of the housings in juxtaposed relation.

2. In a binocular, a Yplate,-ashaft carried by said plate parallel to :one face thereof,- a pair of housings for the optical systems of the instrument, each of said housings having a bored extension and being .thereby'slidably mounted on Vsaid shaft and having a .fflat laterally projecting portion slidingly engaging the l'plateja stud fixed fto the plate, a second platemounted on-said stud for maintaining said projectinglportions fof the :housing in sliding engagement Vwith lthe first :..mentioned plate, and rmeans Ion A`said stud confnected with the projecting portions ofthe housings for actuating :the housing .away from -and toward one another.

3. In a binocular; aplatepa'f'fixed shaft lcarried -by said plate parallel vto one rface thereof, a pair of parallel housings for the optical systems of :the instrument slidably supported by said zshaft, for movement away `from yancttowardone anfother, said housings-embodying roppositely projectingV portions slidngly -engagingsaid-plate, a .xed stud projectingfrom-theplate between said Aprojecting portions vof the housings, `a lsecond Vigpfate mounted on said fstnd'in sliding engage- :ment Y with said projecting i portions r of ithe 4housings, rotatable means mounted on the stud in sliding engagement with said second plate and connected to the projecting portions of the housings for actuating the housings away from and toward one another, and means on the stud for locking said rotatable means in sliding engagement with the second plate.

4. In a binocular, a plate having a lower reduced portion, a horizontal shaft carried by and extending parallel to one face of said plate above said reduced portion thereof, a pair of housings for the optical systems of the instrument disposed perpendicularly of the plate at opposite sides of the reduced portion, each of said housings being slidably supported. on said shaft and having a laterally projecting portion juxtaposed to the reduced portion of the plate and carrying a pin, a second plate juxtaposed to said projecting portions of the housings having openings for the passage of said pins, a stud xed to the rst-mentioned plate and extending through said second plate, rotatable means mounted o-n said stud in juxtaposition to the second plate and connected with the pins for actuating the housings away frorn and toward one another, and adjustable means on the stud for maintaining said rotatable means in juxtaposed relation to the second plate.

5. In a binocular, a at rigid member, a xed support carried by said member parallel to one face thereof, a pair of housings for the optical systems of the binocular slidably mounted on said support for rectilinear motion away from and towards one another, each of said housings having a lateral extension slidingly contacting said rigid member, a fixed element projecting from said rigid member, means rotatably mounted on said projecting element connected with the lateral extensions of said housings for actuating said housing away from and toward one another to eiect interocular adjustment of the binocular, and means mounted on said projecting element for maintaining said lateral extensions in sliding engagement with said rigid member during the relative motion of said housings.

6. In a binocular, a flat rigid member, a fixed support carried by said member parallel to one face thereof, a pair of housings for the optical systems of the binocular slidably mounted on said support for rectilinear motion away from and towards one another, each of said housings having a lateral extension slidingly contacting said rigid member, a iixed element projecting from said rigid member, means mounted on said projecting element for maintaining the extensions of said housings in contact with said rigid member and in sliding engagement therewith during the relative motion of said housings, a member rotatably mounted on said projecting element, means for rotating said rotatable member, guideways in said rotatable member, and means fast to said extensions of said housings and engaging said guideways for actuating said housings away from and towards one another to effect interocular adjustment of the binocular in response to a rotation of said rotatable member.

7, In a binocular, a plate, a shaft carried by said plate parallel to one face thereof, a pair of housings for the optical systems of the binocular, each of said housings consisting of two sections joined together and one of the sections of each housing having Ian integral extension slidably mounted on said shaft and an integral flat projecting portion in sliding engagement with said plate, a stud carried by said plate, a rotatable means mounted on said stud and operatively connected with said flat projecting portions for displacing said housings away from and towards one another to effect interocular adjustment of the binocular, and means mounted on said stud for maintaining said flat projecting portion in sliding engagement with said plate.

8. A binocular comprising a plate, a shaft carried by said plate parallel to one face thereof, a pair of housings for the optical systems of the binocular, each of said housings having an extension slidably mounted on said shaft and a at projecting portion in sliding engagement with said plate and carrying a pin, a second plate having a face in sliding engagement with said projecting portions of the housings and having slots for the passage of said pins, a stud carried by the rst mentioned plate and extending through and projecting from said second plate, a disc mounted on said stud in sliding engagement with the face of said second plate which does not engage said projecting portions, said disc having radial grooves for slidably receiving lsaid pins, said disc being rotatable in opposite directions simultaneously to displace said pins and therefore said housings, away from and toward one 'another to effect interocular adjustment of the binocular, and means mounted on said stud for maintaining the aforementioned disc, second plate, projecting portions, and first mentioned plate in successively contacting and sliding relationship.

.STEN JOHANSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,501,059 Metz July 15, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 364,747 Germany Dec. 1, 1922 489,509 France Oct, 5, 1918 135,752 Great Britain Dec. 4, 1919 97,270 Germany Aug. 10, 1897 

